Is the National Herald case a victory for truth over power?
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Bhopal, Dec 16 (NationPress) Senior Congress figure and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath, expressed his satisfaction with the ruling in the National Herald money-laundering case, calling it a defining moment where truth has ultimately prevailed.
In his response to the verdict, Kamal Nath, currently serving as the Congress MLA for Chhindwara, accused the ruling BJP of attempting to discredit prominent Congress leaders such as Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi through what he labeled a fabricated case. He emphasized that the BJP has persistently sought to damage the reputation of the Gandhi-Nehru family, despite their significant contributions to the nation.
“A false and contrived case was filed against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in relation to the National Herald matter. The Delhi district court has made it clear that the complaint from the Enforcement Directorate is not valid under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA),” stated Kamal Nath in a formal release.
He pointed out that there was no established case of money laundering, leading to its dismissal. “Ultimately, truth has triumphed,” he added.
Kamal Nath's comments followed a decision by a Delhi district court on Tuesday, which declined to acknowledge the Enforcement Directorate's money-laundering allegations against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and five others tied to the National Herald case.
Further reactions came from various Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh, including state party president Jitu Patwari and Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar, who dubbed the ruling a significant victory for truth against the forces of power.
The ED had charged Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, alongside late Congress veterans Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, as well as others like Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and the private entity Young Indian, with conspiracy and money laundering accusations. The agency claimed that properties valued at approximately Rs 2,000 crore, owned by Associated Journals Limited (AJL)—the publisher of the National Herald newspaper—were unlawfully acquired.
The ED asserted that the Gandhis held a 76 percent stake in Young Indian, claiming it fraudulently seized AJL’s assets in exchange for a loan of Rs 90 crore.